‘Poignant’ Maddy reminder

No matter what you might be doing in the next few days, try and say a prayer for Gerry and Kate McCann – parents to the still missing Madeleine.

This month, it is 14 years since the four-year-old went missing from the holiday apartment she was sleeping in at Portugal’s popular Praia da Luz resort.

The kidnapping divided Britain and much of Europe, as people took positions on all the ‘ifs, buts and maybes’ that surrounded the case, which remains unsolved. Throughout everything, however, the McCann family’s pain and loss remained very real.

Now Gerry and Kate have posted a new message on the website they created in a bid to keep Madeleine’s name and story alive.

‘Every May is tough – a reminder of years passed, of years together lost, or stolen,’ they reveal. ‘This year it is particularly poignant as we should be celebrating Madeleine’s 18th birthday. Enough said.

‘The Covid pandemic has made this year even more difficult for many reasons but thankfully the investigation to find Madeleine and her abductor has continued. We hang on to the hope, however small, that we will see Madeleine again. As we have said repeatedly, we need to know what has happened to our lovely daughter, no matter what. We are very grateful to the police for their continued efforts.

‘We still receive so many positive words and good wishes despite the years that have gone by. It all helps and for that we are truly grateful – thank you.’

Officers from the Metropolitan Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Madeleine’s disappearance.

Tony Yorke is Deputy Editor of Sorted magazine and Sorted Digital.